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DIED, at Chesapeake Hospital, Fortress Monroe, Va., on Wednesday, 
the 5th of October, 1864, 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant JIyron W. 
Smith, of the 1st Regiment, U. S. Colored Troops, and Acting Assistant 
Adjutant-General of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 18th Army Corps, of 
a wound tjirough the chest by a sharp-shooter, after the repulse of the 
rebels at Fort Harrison, Chapin's Farm, near Richmond, on the 30th of 
September — aged 36 years and 11 days. 

Adjutant Smith was the youngest son of Dr. Lyndon A. and Mrs. 
Frances Louisa Smith, grand-son of the late Rev. Ethan Smith, and the 
Rev. Edward D. Griffin, D. D., and great grand-son of the Rev. David 
Sanford, and the Rev. Joseph Huntington, D. D. They were all dis- 
tinguished in their day, and bear honoraljle mention in Sprague's Annals 
of the American Pulpit. 

He was b«u-n in Newark, N. J. ; graduated at Rutgers College, 1858 ; a 
member of the Bar of New Jersey, 1861; entered the Army, June 1863. 

On "Wednesday, the 12th of October, his funeral was attended in the 
1st Presbyterian Church, Newark, by invitation of the Board of Trustees. 
The coffin, covered with crosses and wreaths of the most fragrant and 
beautiful flowers, and crowned with laurel, the offerings of beloved 
young friends, and draped in the flag of his country, in defence of which 
he had offered up his life, was borne from his father's residence by his 
friends — 

Frederick F. Mercer, Joseph S, Halsey, 

Major D. A. Rterson, David D. Duncan, 

Joseph E. Trippe, Henry Young, 

William Vanderpool^ Seargent P. Stearns. 



And was followed by members of the Clerical, Legal and Medical pro- 
fessions, as well as his family and intimate friends. It was placed before 
the altar whence had been already borne to the grave two generations of 
his family, his mother, and venerated grand-fiither, who GO years before 
had occupied the jjulpit as pastor. The services were commenced by 
the choir with a very appropriate selection — " Cast thy burden on the 
Lord." The 90th Psalm and part of the 15th chapter of 1st Corinthians 
were read by Rev. Dr. Abeel. A sermon was preached by Eev. Dr. 
Stearns. Prayer by Rev. Dr. Few Smith. The hymn, "Unveil thy 
bosom, faithful tomb," was then sung by the choir, and the Ijenediction 
pronoimced. 

After these exercises, his remains were taken to the Mount Pleasant 
Cemetery, on the beautiful banks of the Passaic, and there deposited by 
the side of those of his family " who had gone l)efore." 

"Rest, Patriot, in thy hill-side grave, 

Beaide her form who bore thee ! 
Long may the land thou died'st to save 

Her bannered stars wave o'er thee ! 
Upon her history's brightest page, 

And on Fame's glowing portal. 
She'll write thy grand, heroic page, 

And grave thy name immortal.'" 



A Funeral Sermon, occasioned by the death of the 
late Adj't Myron W. Smith ; by Rev. J. F. Stearns, d.d.. 
Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, New 
Jersey, Oct. 12, 1864. 



Sennon. 



Lam. IV : '2.— The precious sous of Ziou, comparable to flue gold, how are they esteemed 
as earthen vessels, the work of the hands of the potter ? 

Here is the lesson of the hour — the lesson of God's mysteri- 
ous, but most wise and holy providence. The words of the 
prophet give voice to the scene before us ; and, having uttered 
them out of the scriptures, I would gladly be silent and let 
the solemn occasion speak for itself. How little do we ordi- 
narily understand either the position which we really occupy, 
or the conditions on which we have our hold upon life ! 
There is an " age of man," and we expect, with no small con- 
fidence, to attain it. But how few do attain it ! How many 
fail ! Strange, that God, who is infinitely wise, should sweep 
away, in mid-summer, not only the encumbering refuse of the 
garden, but the strong choice plants that are the promise of 
the autumn ! That He should even destroy and cast aside Plis 
own best works, seems to us not the part of a wise master- 
workman. Yet so it is — at least so far as earthly uses and 
temporary appearances are concerned. 

" The precious sons of Zion comparable to fine gold !" 
How aptly does the beautiful metaphor express the estimate 



in which a discerning community holds its worthy young 
men ! I do not disparage the old. Their rich experience, 
their mellow virtues, their works and struggles accomplished, 
their strong, wide, silent influence, their expectant waiting, it 
is not easy to over-estimate their value. What sublimer spec- 
tacle can earth show, than that of aged Paul, shouting, as he 
stands on the verge of Heaven, " I have fought a good fight, 
I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth 
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness !" But, in 
prizing the old, we need not, and, if we are wise, shall not 
abate one particle from our estimate of the peculiar value of 
the young. The old man who gets out of sympathy with 
them stops the fountain of his own strength. The community 
which regards them chiefly in the light of their faults, and so 
obstructs their influence and discourages their efibrts, puts a 
brake upon its own progress. They have their faults, no 
doubt, faults peculiar to their class, which a wise and 
thoughtful experience ought to help them weed out with a 
tender but faithful hand, but not so aggravated after all, or 
so injurious, as old misanthropy would sometimes have us 
believe. It is not the tree dead at the root that most needs 
pruning. It is the exuberant growth, which, by wise culture, 
may be turned from useless wood into fruitage. 

In the young is to be found, ordinarily, all the improvable 
capacity of the communit3^ The middle and the aged class 
have fixed the substance of their characters. But the young 
are, by their natural impulses, reaching forth after something 
not attained. They act with reference to an ideal. If rightly 



9 

informed and principled, they reacli with irrepressible en- 
deavor after something higher and better than the present. 
And what an advantage does their early morning hour, as 
well as supple limbs, give them in the race ! 

In the young is to be found chiefly the impelling force of 
the age. Old men are apt to come to a stand. They have 
panted up the hill and their weary limbs seem to need rest. 
They would enjoy, rather than acquire. But the young are 
fresh. Action and effort are their luxury. In the battles of 
life, in its enterprises, in its daring adventures, it is their 
dauntless courage and unwearying vigor that must wield the 
sword and work the engines of the Nation's and the Church's 
achievements. 

Nor is their influence, as a class, in shaping the charactci' 
and determining the destinies of the community, to be over- 
looked or undervalued. Young men do more to educate each 
other, than either fathers or tutors do to educate them. We 
may regret it. I do not ; for where the influence is good, 
and, thank God it is, where the companionship is wisely 
chosen, it is of inestimable benefit. And methinks the 
function is as beautiful and noble as it is powerful — this of 
young brotherhood, where each emulates and so quickens the 
other, and each lends the other a helping hand as they push 
their eager way onward and uj)ward. Nor is the influence 
without its power, on those whose task seems to be rather to 
mould than be moulded. We, fathers, are all modified by our 
children, and, under the heavy burden of accumulating cares, 
how soon should we grow weary, not of action only, but of 



10 

hope itself, did not the buoytincy and ardor of the young 
around us reinforce our fainting spirits, as well as make up for 
our growing deficiencies. 

It is not necessary to make what might seem invidious com- 
parisons. I know the young could not flourish and do their 
best without the influence of the old. But neither could the 
old without that of the young. And, looking cither to the 
present or the future, either to action or influence, there is no 
class more to be valued or on whom the interests of the com- 
munity, whether in Church or State, more vitally depend, 
than that of right-minded, rightly-instructed, virtuous and 
religious young men. Who are to fight the battles of their 
country in the day of her peril, who man the posts of influ- 
ence from which so many are falling, who sustain dying faith 
in the land, who go to the ends of the earth for the conversion 
of the heathen, who support and cheer old hearts, when the 
grasshojjper shall become a burden, and desire shall fail, if 
the precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, are to be 
dashed like earthen vessels, the work of the hands of the 
potter ? 

And here the mystery, of which we have spoken already, 
asks an eftbrt for its solution. We cannot solve it wholly ; 
but, following the instructions of God's word, we can in part, 
I shall suggest, on the present occasion, only one or two obvi- 
ous considerations. 

In the first place, the case falls naturally into the line of all 
God's providential gifts. He gives, not that we may trust in 
the things given, but to remind us of our obligations to Him- 



11 

self. And when giving fails, lie pursues the same end by 
taking away. He will have us know that He is not dependent 
upon instruments. As an old writer has beautifully said : 
" 'Tis a piece of divine royalty and magnificence, that when 
He has prepared and polished such a utensil, so as to be capa- 
ble of great service, He can lay it aside without loss," We 
ai'e apt, on the contrary, to rely too much on the instrument. 
Therefore is our " strong staff broken and our beautiful rod." 
We must understand, likewise, that, in the use of its instru- 
ments, infinite wisdom is not confined to one method. We 
think chiefly of what men may do by their direct efforts. 
But God can sometimes make them instrumental of still 
greater good, by putting a period to their ability for such 
efforts. It often happens that an early death is more fruitful 
of benefits to a wide circle than a protracted life. It sets a 
seal on all that has been before done or attained. It draws 
attention towards it, and so impresses it, as an example, on 
the minds of many. Longer life would have dimmed, not the 
real excellence, perhaps, but the attractive appearance of many 
estimable traits. And early death, where it is attended with 
cheerful resignation to the will of God and bright hopes of 
Heaven, not only gives to piety a peculiar charm, but raises 
in many a youthful heart the aspiration, " Let me die the 
death of the righteous, and let my last end be like His." 
Even the sorrow that attends the loss has, in such cases, a 
most penetrating influence. It chastens the mourner, and 
calls the heart that would have satisfied itself with the inter- 
ests of the world, to "set its affection on things above." 



12 

Nor must we look too exclusively at the earthly side, if wc 
would judge correctly of the reasons of such occurrences. 
God has other spheres of service in which to employ the gifts 
and attainments of His people. We say, how strange that one 
so fitted to be useful, should be so soon taken away ! But we 
should ask what he is taken to, as well as what he is taken 
from. God has a use, no doubt, in the ranks above, for persons 
of all ages, as well as all varieties of worthy character. In 
the great anthem of the blessed, there is a part for little 
children's voices which none else can sing. There is a part 
for youths, for young men and young women, for old men 
and for matrons. lie takes them from us here, because He has 
a place for them in the holy ranks there. And it is His own 
wisdom that must determine what their particular place is, and 
when they are fitted for and needed in it. You take your 
child from school when he is fitted for college, and from the 
seminaries of instruction when he is ready for an active part 
in the world. It is very natural and none murmur, when the 
young ofiicer, having acquitted himself nobly in his company, 
is promoted to a command in the regiment. The company 
loses his particular services, but the regiment gains them. 
And when earth loses only what Heaven gains, ought we to 
think it so mysterious, after all, that the wisdom of God orders 
the transfer? 

Nor is the Heavenly sphere, to which He transfers His 
people, one of service only, but of consummation. It is the 
end to which they are all reaching forth in their desires and 
hopes. This world is only preparatory. One of its chief 



13 

ends, in the case of the individual soul, is discipline. And 
both the discipline and the preparation arc of God's deter- 
mining. Some need more, in order to eft'ect His purposes, 
and some less. But why should any be detained here, when 
the requirements of those purposes are completed ? If they 
have done their work, if they have gone through their allotted 
trials, why not now go home and enjoy the reward ? To wish 
to detain them merely for earth's sake, when all Heaven waits 
to welcome them with the shout, " well done good and faith- 
ful," would be an unworthy selfishness. 

It is Heaven, my friends ; it is immortality ; it is the high 
and holy destinies of the soul, that give us the true key to 
this mystery of Divine providence. If the poor shattered 
fragments, as of the potter's vessel, were all that is left, we 
might well sigh at the breaking of the once beautiful golden 
bowl. But it is broken only that it may be recast, a vessel of 
honor, and for nobler uses, at the banquet of the King of 
Kings. 

I take comfort in such reflections as these, when I look upon 
scenes such as that now before me. All over our afflicted land, 
the noblest, purest and most accomplished of our young men — 
the tenderly nurtured, the carefully educated, the hope not 
only of fond parents, but of the nation and of the Church, 
are giving up their precious lives on the battle field, in the 
hospital, and in distant lonely imprisonment, The widow's 
only stay, the young wife's faithful protector, the sister's pride, 
the old man's only staff, how cheerfully have they been yielded 
up, even to the breaking of heart strings ! Old Abraham's 



14 

faith in God has been symbolized in this patriotic devotion ; 
and, to many a stricken father and mother, might the bleeding 
land testify : " Now I know that thou art true and loyal, 
seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from 
me." And what is the result ? Are they lost? Have their 
precious lives been cast away in the very blossom of their 
promise? Oh no, no. They have done more by their dying, 
ten-fold, than they could ever have done by their living. And 
if Ciiristians, as well as heroes and self-devoting lovers of their 
country, the crown of the good soldier of the cross has only 
the sooner rewarded their fidelity, and the broad fruitful lands, 
and thronged cities of the heavenly country, afford them an 
ampler field for service and the promise of more rapid and 
honorable promotion. 

1 look down upon those seats immediately before me, and 
" mine eye affecteth my heart." For I miss there two as 
noble, pure-minded, generous-spirited, manly-hearted young 
men as the land can boast of They were not far from the 
same age, worshippers in the same congregation, members of 
the same bar, companions in the same social circles. And it 
is a touching circumstance, that, during the same week, 
the remains of both have been brought back here from 
their distant bloody beds, on their way to their final 
burial. One has been sleeping, indeed, now for more than 
two years in his quiet grave for up the bloody valley of the 
Shenandoah, among the mountains of revolted Virginia. But 
the name and memory of the gallant Haines* is enshrined in 

* Capt. Th09. R. Haines, Ifi N. J. CavalrJ-, eon of Hon. t»aniel Haines, fell at HarrieoH- 
l)urg, Va., June 6th, 1802. 



15 

our hearts, and will not, cannot be forgotten. The other fell 
suddenly at his post of duty by a treacherous shot, with all 
the honors of victory fresh upon him, and is here before us 
waiting for the soldier's and the Christian's burial. 

I need not spend much time in detailing the history of the 
gallant young Adjutant, for you all -knew him and have been 
familiar with his ways and character from his earliest child- 
hood. He was born on the 24th of September, 1838, and 
graduated with honor at Rutgers College in the summer of 
1858. After leaving College, he commenced and completed the 
study of the law in the office of Joseph P. Bradley, Esq., of 
this city, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. 

Anxious to be employed in some useful way, in the service 
of the country, he offered himself, in the summer of 1862, to 
the Surgeon-General of the United States, to take care of the 
sick and wounded on transports, and being accepted, acted 
without fee or reward, except quarters and a single ration a 
day. But his brave young heart panted for m.ore vigorous 
and heroic employment. An older brother* was already in 
the service, on a distant coast, and only the soldier's post 
of peril could satisfy either his generous ambition or his sense 
of duty. 

Already, at the very beginning of the war, lie had sought a 
position in tlic Marine Corps, but could not obtain it. He now 
sought and obtained from the Executive of New Jersey a 
commission as Second Lieutenant in Company I, -Ith Regiment, 
New Jersey Volunteers, and was ordered to report to General 



* Dr. E. D. G. Smith, Surgeon in the U. S. Navy. 



16 

Torbert, in Virginia. But unexpected obstacles were in his 
way, and, with great reluctance, he resigned his commission. 
This was a period of great trial and discouragement to his 
manly spirit, but he bore it nobly. Unwilling to remain un- 
occupied, he volunteered his services for the time being to the 
Public Aid Committee, in whose office he was employed 
several hours in a day, and between July 22d, 1862, and Jan- 
uary 2d, 1863, made out 211 claims for bounties and back pay 
for widows, orphans, mothers and discharged soldiers — and all 
without fee or reward. 

In the month of April, 1863, he applied for a commission 
in the United States colored troops, then being raised ; and, 
after a thorough examination by the Board at Washington, 
was commissioned First Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 1st 
Eegiment, United States colored troops, in which post he has 
been on active duty, with the exception of a twenty days' 
furlough, till the time of his death. During this time, he has 
been on duty in North Carolina twice, and subsequently in 
Virginia, where his Regiment was ordered up the James River 
with General Butler's Division. 

Four times during his period of service he has been in 
perilous actions. The first was at Wilson's Landing, where, 
during a hot engagement, he was sent down the river to 
carry a message to a gun-boat, in order to prevent the 
enemy from making a flank movement, which they were 
then attempting. An eye-witness says: "If the Adjutant 
had not had a charmed life, he could not have escaped, as 
the river all around the boat was spotted by the balls of the 



17 

sharp-shooters on the shore." The second was an unsuccessful 
attack on the enemy's works, near Petersburg, June 9th, 1864, 
which was made to divert the enemy's attention from Kautz's 
movements on the Weldon Eailroad. In reference to this 
attack he writes : " I have great cause of thankfulness that I 
escaped death or wounds." The third was on the 15th of 
June, when an attack was made on the enemy's works, and 
they were taken after a severe engagement. In this action he 
narrowly escaped death by the fall of a tree cut off by a shell 
just above his head, and where au eye witness testifies thus to 
his gallant bearing: "I saw the Adjutant, now acting as 
Assistant Adjutant-General, riding from one part of the line 
to the other, amidst a perfect hail storm of shot and shell, 
carrying dispatches from the Commandant, and we all thought 
he could not escape." The account which he himself gives of 
this battle is modest but stirring, and closes with the simple 
prayer, " May God help me to devote the life which He has 
spared to His service." 

His last engagement, as we well know, was the immediate 
precursor of his lamented fall. 

I shall make no attempt to sketch his character, though it 
stands before me, vivid and complete, from the day when I 
first saw him, a beautiful boy of ten years, the pet of his 
family and acquaintances, and the darling of an accomplished 
mother, whose chief care was that her children, already con- 
secrated to God in Baptism, should learn to know and serve 
early the God of their fathers. 

I shall detain you only to bring to your view a few facts 



18 

concerning his religious history and position. We have not 
his name enrolled as a member in full communion of the 
visible Church, though he was a member by baptism. And, 
in view of this, we cannot but feel painful regrets. It would 
be so sweet now to point back to that solemn open self-conse- 
cration. But, that he was a member of the Church invisible, 
and of the Church visible, in purpose, we have the amplest 
and the sweetest assurance. Myron was always a serious- 
minded, thoughtful boy, and thought and felt much concerning 
his eternal interests, though exceedingly reserved by nature. 
My recollection brings back to me many an early interview, 
sought by himself; and his image is before me at this moment, 
sitting with earnest eyes, as I talked with him, striving at 
times to draw him out, while the tears coursed down his 
cheeks, and not one word except in reply to the directest 
questions. I do not mean that he was always so silent, but 
such was his nature. A few weeks before he obtained his 
commission, I spent an hour or so with him, in the little 
library consecrated both in his memory and mine by very 
affecting associations, and found him more free in the ex- 
pression of his views and experiences than I had ever known 
him before. I have reason to believe, that, for a long time, 
he had been indulging what he believed to be a Christian 
hope, but his heart was quickened by the affecting death of his 
friend Haines, and again still more, after he left home, timidst 
the perils of the army and the hospital. It was his purpose, 
even then, to take the earliest opportunity to profess openly his 
faith ; a purpose only delayed by his entrance, a few weeks 
after, upon his service in the army. 



19 

One or two extracts from bis letters, bearing upon tbis 
point, and serving to sbow tbe spirit of bis army life, I cannot 
forbear to recite : 

" September 10, 18C3, Camp near Portsmoutu. 
" While in hospital, I determined, God helping me, to walk in His 
fear and serve Him all the rest of my life. I wanted to go home and ])e 
with you to-day at communion ; but it was impossible. However, pray 
for me that I may live a godly life, and be permitted, some time, to sit 
with you at the Lord's table. I hope and Iielleve^ that the prayers which 
have been offered up for me ]>y pious relatives and friends, some of whom 
are now in Heaven, have heeji answered^ and that I am a Christian. Pray 
for me, that my faith fail not." 

"Near Portsmouth, December C, 1SC3. 
" To-day, I suppose, was your communion. Vou have doubtless 
thought of me, and I have thought of you. You have doubtless prayed 
God for me, that He would sanctify me, and allow me to join with you 
in eating the Lord's Supper here on earth, and, if not here, at least to 
join in the great sujDper in Heaven. Amen. May God bless me and 
make me wholly His. May He shew me what His will is, and give me 
grace to do it. Pray for me, very often., that I fall not into temptation 
and grieve the Holy Spirit, who, thanks be to God, has not yet with- 
drawn all His influence, though I have so greatly provoked Him." 

I bave reason to believe tbese were tbe sentiments and 
prayers wbicb went witb bim all tbrougb bis perilous service. 
Sucb passages as tbe following occur more tban once, in bis 
bastiest correspondence: "We are going on an ex]3edition. 
May God protect me from barm ; but if anytbing sbould 
bappen, may He receive me to His Heavenly Kingdom." " I 
pray God to bave me in His boly keeping, protect me from 



20 

danger and death, give me courage in the hour of battle, but 
above all, to accept me through Jesus Christ and grant me His 
salvation. Pray for mey 

You all know, I presume, the circumstances of his death . 
It was after the battle was over and the victory won^ that a ball 
from a guerrilla sharp-shooter passed quite through his chest, 
piercing the lungs. But he did not die suddenl}^ I wish I 
had time to detail to you his most aftecting dying interview 
with his father, who, with parental haste, hearing of his serious 
wound, was enabled to be at his bed-side while 3^et reason 
and consciousness were in full possession. Tender and very 
affecting to friends were the tokens of his filial and fraternal 
affection, strong always, but strongest of all in the dying hour. 
When asked how his mind was he replied, " Perfectly calm." 
" Is Christ precious to you?" " I love the Saviour and have 
given myself to him." " A little while before his departure," 
says his father, in a short sketch drawn up to preserve the 
memories of the hour, " being anxious to know certainly 
whether he fully realized his situation, I said, ' do you know 
and realize, that your wound is mortal, and that death is near?' 
Without any perceptible emotion, and sweetly looking at me, 
he answered, ' Is it ? Does the Doctor say so ?' I said yes, 
and your ftither thinks so. * How long can I live?' At most 
but a few hours — it may be less. He calmly remarked, * I 
thought the wound was mortal, but I did not expect to die so 
soon ! I am so glad you have come ; I should not have died 
happy without seeing you.' I said, you have been a very 
precious son ; you never gave me a pang by any misconduct. 



21 

I had hoped you would close my eyes and settle my worldl}'- 
affairs. With a most angelic smile he said, ' I thank you, I 
thank you. I have endeavored to do my duty to you. When 
I entered a fight, I prayed God to give me courage, and He 
did and enabled me to do my whole duty. I had bright pros- 
pects, but I gave myself to my country and to Christ my 
Eedeemer. I die in a glorious cause, and have no regrets!' 
From this time he failed fast, and half an hour before he ceased 
to breathe became pulseless, but conscious to the last, as 
evinced by gentle pressure of my hand in reply to the 
questions. Do you know me? Is Christ precious? At a 
quarter to four, he rolled up his beautiful and expressive eyes 
toward that Heaven to which his spirit was about to take its 
flight, and with a slight quiver of the muscles, ceased to 
breathe." 

The ChapLiin of the hospital, who had previous interviews, 
confirms this affecting testimony in the fullest manner. " Ad- 
jutant," said he, "do you throw 3'^ourself entirely upon the 
merits of Christ ? Do you ground your hopes on the mercies 
of Jesus ?" " yes. I love the Saviour. My whole confi- 
dence and trust is in Jesus Christ." " His eyes brightened," 
says the Chaplain, "as he looked up and spoke thus of his 
hopes of eternal life." 

Thus passed away one whom parental love and pastoral 
solicitude liave long watched over with the tenderest and most 
hopeful interest. The prayers of many Christian friends, of 
faithful Sabbath-school teachers, of his mother's pious associ- 
ates, who did not remit their maternal care for her children, 



when her aid and counsels were no longer enjoyed in their 
monthly meetings, the prayers of the Church and the promises 
of the covenant have not been forgotten either in the life or 
the death of this young Christian disciple. Be thankful, 
mourning relatives, that the God of yoitv sainted ancestors and 
Jds did not forsake him. Be thankful that he was enabled to 
perform so heroic and worthy a service for his bleeding 
country, and leaves behind so comforting a testimony of his 
fitness for and reception into the happy, peaceful ]'est that 
remaineth for the people, of God. Be thankful, and, with 
grateful acknowledgments as well as Christian resignation, 
rest your bereaved hearts trustfully in the love and S3'mpathy 
of Jesus. 

The cause of an imperilled country is sanctified afresh by 
such sacrifices as these. It is a cause eminently worthy of 
self-sacrifice in which our young hero has falleu. So he felt 
it to be, as the words he quoted from a classic author, on 
hearing of the flill of another brave young officer well known 
among us — the gallant and much lamented Zabriskie — 
sufficiently testify : 

'■'■Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori." 

"Sweet and seemly it is to die for one's country.'"* 

Never, in all the history of the nations, was there a gi^ander, 
worthier, juster or more urgent struggle, than that in which 



* Tliere is a slight inaccuracy in the above allusion. The line quoted from Horace on 
the occasion referred to, was the first of Ode 30, B. Ill—" E.vegi mmunnetitum areperen- 
n'ms."' The other occurs in a letter dated on board the steamer Mary Washington, Aug. 
4th, 186.3, as his regiment was just starting on an expedition. " If any thing happens to 
me, it will be a consolation to knoAv that I died in a good cause. ' Bulce et decormn est ])ro 
2)ah'ia mori.' "' 



23 

OLir poor agitated country litis now for three years and a half 
been battling with the foes of her life. May God help us to 
sustain and finish it ; that the blood of our best and bravest 
not fall to the ground fruitless of its aim. Young men of 
America, shrink not, falter not, waver not even for a moment. 
That coffined form, wrapped round with that beautiful and 
most meaning pall, speaks trumpet-tongued : " Waver not." 
Withhold not sympathy, exertion, influence, treasure or blood, 
till the end, for which sacrifices so many and costly have been 
made, be fully attained. 

I will ask your indulgence, my friends, for only a word 
more. God is calling upon us all to-day to consecrate our- 
selves anew wholly to Him. Life is rapidly passing. Eternity, 
with all its solemn realities, is just at hand. Young men, the 
removal of your associates in life summons you to enter with 
new zeal and holier resolution on the service assigned you. 
"Life is real, life is earnest." Death too is real, death is 
earnest. And I hear a voice out of the unseen world saying 
to you and me and all of us yet lingering through God's pre- 
serving goodness on these earthly shores — " Whatsoever thy 
hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Who knows 
where we shall be ere we meet again ? Youthful vigor and 
buoyancy arc no security. Manly courage and strength are 
no security. The wishes of friends and an admiring and 
expectant community are no security. The lesson of the hour, 
as I have said, is in the words of my text, " The precious sons 
of Zion comparable to fine gold" — yes, the bravest and the 
worthiest specimens of youthful manhood, the country's hope. 



24 

the Church's confidence — " how arc they esteemed as earthen 
pitchers, the work of tlie hands of the potter." But there is 
another expression of it which may serve to inspire hope and 
assurance, as well as warning. " Even the youths shall faint 
and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall. But they 
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall 
mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be 
weary, and they shall walk and not faint." 



€titttQ. 



FROM COL. HOLMAN. 

iRTERs, 1st Brig 
18th Army Corps, Oct. 10th, 1864 



Head Quarters, 1st Brig., 3d Division, ) 



DR. L. A. SMITH, 

Dear Sir: 

Your letter of tlae 5th last, informing 
me of the death of my dear Adjutant, came to hand last evening. I was 
prepared to hear the sad news, being well convinced at the time he was 
wounded, he could not long survive. 

I am glad you was with him during his last moments, as it must have 
been a great consolation to you both. 

I can truly sympathize with you for the loss of your dear son. He was 
very dear to me as a friend and companion, and during our intercourse 
the best of feeling always existed between us. He was an honest and 
true soldier ; his ability was much above the average of officers in his 
position, and it was but a short time since he was recommended for pro- 
motion. ******** 

On the 38th of September we received marching orders, and left our 
camp, at Harrison's Landing, for Deep Bottom. The Adjutant was not 
well, and upon landing, during the night, at my request, he remained 
with the ambulance, while I went forward with the command to battle. 
On the evening of the 39th he came forward and communicated with 
me and remained near the front during the night. 

I was in Fort Harrison, with my Brigade, fortifying the rear of the 
Fort. At 10 A. M. on the 30 th I was relieved in the Fort by General 
Stannard, and took up position on the right of the Fort, between the 
18th and 10th corps, and, after doing some work on the rebel rifle pits 
we then occupied, I went to look after my ambulance and sign the morn- 
ing reports. The Adjutant was much better than the day previous, but 
I requested him to stay in charge of the books and to take care of 
himself I returned to the front, and prepared to lie down for a little 
4 



26 

rest. It was now about half-past twelve or one o'clock, P. M. The 
rebels opened their artillery upon us, and I soon became aware that they 
were advancing upon my left. Just at this moment, who should appear 
by my side, but my dear Adjutant, who had faced the terrible fire, to 
come to me ! Upon my seeing him, he remarked, " Colonel, I thought I 
might be of some help to you, and I came up." I moved to the left, and 
he followed me. I cautioned him to keep down behind the bank, and 
shortly a rifle ball passed through his blouse. I then cautioned him 
again to keep well down, as he could do no good by exposing himself. 

The rebel assault came against tlie Fort, and iinder our fire, they were 
driven back. Again they came with still greater fury, and again they 
were repulsed. The great assault had failed, but the rebel sharp-shooters 
still kept up a fire upon our works. At this time I received orders to 
change position with my Brigade, and with your son was passing along 
behind the works, going to the right of the column, giving the necessary 
orders to the commanding officers of regiments as we passed. Myron, 
at this moment, was passing a point where the work was very low, he 
being in the advance, and I cautioned him to keep well down ; lie 
replied he would. Just at this moment he exposed himself, and said to 
me " I am shot !" I helped him upon the ground, when he said to me " I 
am killed ! I shall die ! Write to my ftither !" I made arrangements 
to have him cared for, in order that all might be done for him possible, 
and having but a few moments, and believing the wound mortal, and 
that he would soon exi)ire, I bade him a final farewell I When I heard 
that he had arrived at the Hospital at Fort Monroe, I had a faint hope 
lie might recover, h * * j ]^^(\ gpiit Chaplain Turner of the 1st to 
look him up the day before your letter arrived, but had not heard from 
him. ****=!=*** 

His diary cannot be found about the desk. It is possible it may be 
in his trunk. If it was upon him when he was wounded, it is probably 
lost. I hope it may 1)e found, as it will be of great interest to you. 

I thank you for the kind wishes you express in my behalf; and on 
account of my family, I hope my life may be spared ; but if it pleases 
God to take me away, I hope I may meet my dear Adjutant in Heaven. 
I am truly your obedient servant, 

JOHN H. HOLMAN, 

Col. Conimundiitfj . 



27 

PROM REV. JAMES MARSHALL. 

Chesapeake Hospital, ( 

October 6tli, 1864. J 
DR. L. A. SMITH, 

My Dear Sir : 

I wish I could give you the sub- 
stance of my interviews with your son, A. A. A. Gen'l, 1st Brig., 3d 
Div., 18th Army Corps. Words are but a faint manifestation of the 
soul's experiences, when brought face to face with its Maker, by disease 
or wounds that arc mortal. You may remember the last words and 
transfer them to paper, but you can give no conception of the expres- 
sions of a soul resigned to God's will, and waiting to go into the 
presence of the Saviour. Could this be done— could the soiil-history of 
that noble young man thus be revealed, it would only deepen your 
assurance that he had done his life-work, that he had acted a noble 
part in this grand struggle for principle, and now was safe with his 
Redeemer in Heaven, 

Although the Adjutant w^as in the Hospital a number of days, yet we 
never heard him murmur — always the same mild, calm, pleasant, re- 
signed expression. I saw him a number of times, and although not 
communicative, yet his face was full of language that spoke earnestness, 
assurance of suffering in a just cause, and delighted with words of 
Christian experience. =^= * * =i; * ^i: 

The Adjutant anxiously looked for his father, and spoke in most 
affectionate terms of his sister and friends. His heart was faithfully 
attached to his home, yet evidently exercised upon the realities of his 
Heavenly home. 

Early in the morning, Oct. 5th, he sent for me. I found him resigned, 
but failing ; I told him that our Heavenly Father Avorked mysteriously, 
to call home those whom He loved, and the only way was by faith in the 
merits of His son, Jesus Chi'ist. 

Adjutant, do you throw yourself entirely upon the merits of Christ? 
Do you ground your hope in the mercy of Jesus ? 

Oh ! yes, I love the Saviour. My whole trust and confidence is in 
Jesus Christ. 

His eyes brightened as he looked up and spoke thus of his hopes of 
eternal life. He desired me to pray with him, after which he seemed 
cheerfully resigned, and to realize fully that his stay was not long upon 
the earth. ^ ^ :i: * * * * 



28 

It is hard to lose a son, friend or brother, just beginning a life of 
promise. But God orders all things well. * * * jje fell in a noble 
cause, and the Adjutant confessed it. He required moral courage to 
assume command of colored troops, and he modestly acknowledged it. 
His life expressed the fact. He is another of our noblest young heroes, 
whose blood will purify this nation, and make it strong, united and 
free, because just. His record will be treasured by his family, his city, 
his state, his whole country. * ^h * * * 

My dear sir, your son has only gone home a treasure in Heaven await- 
ing you ; one more there, one less on earth. A dutiful son, having per- 
formed his whole duty to his country, wounded after he had fulfilled his 
mission, after the victory was won, and trusting in God's spirit to enable 
him to fully discharge the demand of his country, as Avell as to meet the 
claims of his God. Noble record I Be thankful. 

Most fixithfully, your friend, 

JAMES MARSHALL, 

Chaplain U. S. A., 

Fort Monroe, Ya. 



FROM JOS. P. BRADLEY, LL.D. 

Newark, November 19th, 1864. 
DR. L. A. SMITH, 

Dear Sin: 

As you are about to prepare a memorial 
of your son, Lieut. Myron W. Smith, it affords me pleasure to add 
my testimony to his worth, and a slight tribute to his memory. It is 
eminently fitting to hold in honorable remembrance those who, from 
pure and noble motives, have sacrificed themselves for their country in 
this war. For, in some respects, it is a more imperative struggle on our 
part than was the revolutionary war itself. That was a war undertaken 
with the view of establishing a better government than we had before ; 
the present is a war carried on for the preservation of the best govern- 
ment ever instituted ; a government with whose success are identified the 
interests of free institutions throughout the world. To throw away such 
an inheritance after it is bequeathed to us, would be more base than it 
would have been to have endured a little longer the evils of British mis- 
rule. Those who appreciate the full importance of this struggle, and itd 
probable bearing upon the future history of the continent for all time, 



29 

and who, actuated by the lofty motive of doing their part towards sar. 
ing their beloved country and its institutions from hopeless ruin, offer 
life, with all its cherished prospects and hopes and tender attachments' 
in the sacred cause, deserve not only our remembrance but our lasting 
gratitude. Such, I have good reason to know, was the motive which 
actuated your son. His professional asjDirations, his prospects of future 
advancement in life, all the mellow coloring which youth and hope 
throw over the j^ictures of a long future, — friends, connections, family, 
position, honors, — things which others with spirits less lofty yet live to 
anticipate, — he waved aside, threw them all upon the altar of patriotism^ 
and submitted himself to the chances of suffering and death for his 
country's sake. In taking this noble course, I believe he was actuated 
by a high sense of Christian duty ; for we have the consolation of know- 
ing that he had learned to refer the outgoings of life to the eye and will 
of his Divine master. He went forth under these motives, and he has 
made the great sacrifice which we are called upon to mourn. 

I have often been troubled to understand the dispensation of Provi- 
dence by which those who give every promise of future excellence and 
usefulness, are taken away in the spring time of life. "Why is it ? Can 
it, under any circumstances, be thought a happy and fortunate lot ? Are 
not length of days in the practice of virtue and usefulness things to be 
desired ? The heart is not always satisfied to be told that the young are 
taken away from the evil to come, or that their death has a salutary 
effect upon others. The only answer that silences debate, is, that such is 
the Divine will. Hence we know that it must be right, though we 
cannot see the reason for it. 

May it not be that we look upon human life in a wrong aspect ? After 
all, does its perfectness consist in length of days, and the completeness 
of the cycle of ages and relations, — childhood, youth, manhood, old 
age,— son, husband, father, citizen ? Or, does it not rather consist in 
the beauty and symmetry of its character whilst it lasts ? Does not the 
dutiful and conscientious boy at school perform the duty of life just 
as fully and perfectly as the minister of state in his cabinet. Each is 
only in a school of preparation for a higher state of existence. 

Viewed in this light, is not the life of your son perfect and complete ? 
What he had to do, did he not do it ? Let no broken or imperfect 
column mark the place of his resting. - His life was not long, but it was 
well spent. His task was honorably and completely performed. 

1 could not Init deeply feel his death. Besides the friendly personal 
relations which had so long subsisted between our f\imilies, he had been 
Identified with my professional business for several years, having entered 



30 

my office as a student at law in June, 1858, and continued tlierein until 
his admission to the bar in June, 1861. He also commenced the practice 
of law in the same office, and continued there until he entered the army. 
During all this period, he applied himself assiduously to his studies, and 
the duties of his profession, and for several months, in the latter portion 
of the time, gave his services gratuitously in advising and assisting, and 
drawing up the requisite jjapers to enable soldiers and their families to 
obtain their back pay, pensions, bounties and other claims upon the state 
and federal governments. These services were bestowed cheerfully, as a 
labor of love. It was an honorable, patriotic and generous act. He 
was fond of his j^rofession, and would have attained distinction in it. 
He had a ready ajititude for business, a clear head, a great deal of 
accuracy and method, and imwearied perseverance ; and, withal, great 
coolness and self-possession. In all our intercourse I do not rememlier 
a single instance, in which, as a student or lawyer, he ever failed to 
give entire satisfaction in the performance of his duties. It was always 
a pleasure to ask his assistance in any work to be done, he gave it so 
cheerfully and pleasantly. 

But he is gone, and has added one more to the number of that gallant 
host of noble young men who have borne their voluntary testimony, in 
this war, to the value of free government, the truth of patriotism, and 
the hatefulness of rebellion and treason. I do not know a spectacle 
more l>eautiful or sublime, than that of a brave and virtuous young man, 
educated, intelligent, accomplished — keenly alive to all the enjoyments 
of social intercourse, and cultivated taste, — buckling on the armor of 
loyalty and truth, leaving all that is attractive and desirable in life, and 
going forth amidst hardship, toil and suffering, to fight the battles of 
country and freedom. To fall in such a cause, at such a sacrifice, under 
the inspiration of such motives, crowns a brief but perfected life with a 
halo of glory. We cannot but believe that when his eye looked down 
the vista of the future, and rested upon the rich fruits of the contest passing 
liefore him, in the increased stability of national prosperity and happiness 
under a government redeemed and vindicated ; in the growth of all the 
arts of peace; freedom enjoyed, religion disseminated, happiness dift'used, 
and society advanced to still higher stages of mental and moral develop- 
ment, the sacrifice was trustfully and cheerfully made. .And we may 
now better than ever before, understand the meaning of those lieroic 

words, — 

Dulce et decorum est jjto f atria tnori. 

With sincere symjDathy, 

I am, as ever, truly yours, 

JOSEPH P. BRAt)LE\*. 



Se0timonial0. 



Camp 1st Regiment U. S. Colored Troops. ( 

In the Field, Va., Oct. 12, 1864. )' 

DK. L. A. SMITH, 

Sir: 

It is "with great sorrow that I have the honor 

to forward to you a copy of resolutions adopted by the officers of this 

regiment in relation to your deceased son, Lieut. Mykon W. Smith, 

whom I shall ever remember as a warm and generous companion, a just 

and noble man, a brave and efficient soldier. 

I am, sir, with great respect, yours, 

CLIFFORD F. EAGLE, 

Capt. \st U. 8. Colored Troo])s, Secy. 

Camp 1st Regiment U. S. Colored Troops, ( 

In the Field, Va., Oct. 11, 1864. ) 

Whekeas, It has i)leased Divine Providence to remove from our 
midst Lieut. Myron W, Smith, the Adjutant of our Regiment, and 
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General of our Brigade : be it resolved by 
the officers thereof, 

Ut. That by his death we have suffered a severe loss, the loss of a 
brave soldier, an efficient officer, a sincere and valued friend, and a true, 
honest and noble man. 

M. That while we feel the deepest affliction at the loss of our beloved 
brother, and tender our heartfelt sympathy in this hour of sorrow to the 
family and friends of the deceased, we Avould call their attention to the 
fact that he lived the life of a Patriot, died the death of a Soldier on 
the battle-field, nobly fighting for God and his Country— an honored 
life, a noble death. 

M. That a copy of these resolutions be communicated to the family 
of the deceased, and to the local papers in their vicinity. 

[Official] CLIFFORD F. EAGLE, 

Capt. 1 st Rer/t U. S. Colored Troops, Secy. 



32 



LYNDON A. SMITH, M. D., 

Dear Sir : 

Please find enclosed resolu- 
tions passed by the Newark Law Club in relation to your son's death. 

You have lost a dutiful son, and I have lost an agreeable companion 
and a sympathizing friend. We passed the few years, previous to his 
entering the army, in each other's society, and I am happy that I can 
look back to it with pleasure, since it was so perfectly harmonious and 
Avith such good feeling between us during the whole time we were to- 
gether. 

Myron was a young man of high principles and amiable disposition. 
He was no superficial student, but a diligent reader and a deep thinker, 
and showed by his fine preparation of his cases in the Law Club, and 
the ability with which he argued them, that he would, if he had re- 
sumed the practice of law, have risen to a high position in his profession. 

Myron is gone ! But let us remember, that though he has left us, he 

has received his crown of glory ; that he died as every true soldier would 

wish to die, on the battle-field and facing the enemy. With sorrow for 

your loss and mine, I remain, 

Yours, most truly, 

.T. E. TRIPPE, Jr. 

Newark, October ISth, 18M. 

At a regular meeting of the Newark Law Club held on the eleventh 
day of October inst, at the office of Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, Esq., 
the following report of the Committee appointed to draft resolutions in 
relation to the death of the late Lieutenant Myron W. Smith, was 
unanimously adopted, after remarks made by the members which clearly 
manifested their sorrow for their loss and high appreciation of the 
character of the deceased : 

Whereas, God in his wisdom has taken to Himself, at this early day 
our friend, a member of this Club, Lieutenant Myron W. Smith, who 
was killed while fighting the battles of his country — 

Resolved, That in his death we mourn the loss of a valued member and 
a beloved friend — one of the founders of this Club, who, by his wise 
counsel, untiring zeal and welcome presence, ever did his utmost to pro- 
mote its success and usefulness ; and whose many excellent qualities of 
mind and heart command at once our respect and love. 



83 

Hesolml, That we give to him the honor so richly dne to the noble 
patriotism of one, who was ready and eager to torego the joys of home 
and friends, with his brilliant prospects of the future, and offer them 
all with life itself for the life of his country; and that even in our 
sorrow we liave this consolation, that he met death bravely and happily, 
as a soldier and a Christian. 

JiesolceiJ, That we tender our heartfelt sympathies to his afflicted 
family and friends. 

JiesoIce(7, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of the 

deceased ; that they be spread upon the minutes of the Club and pnh- 

lished in the M'warJc Daily Adcertiser. 

JOSEPH E. TRIPPE, Jr., ) 

DAVID A. RYERSON, ■ Committee. 

FREDERICK F. MERCER, ) 

Attest— HENRY YOUNG, Ckrl: 

OcTor.ER 13th, 1864. 



^^xmn\m% t^i the ??av. 

From the Newark Daily Advertiser of October 11th, lS(i-t. 
A meeting of the Bar was held this morning to give expression to 
their feelings touching the recent death of Lieut. Myron W. SsiiTn, a 
member of the profession. Hon. Daniel Haines was called to the 
Chair, and F. F. Mercer, Esq., appointed Secretary. Mr. C. Parker 
stated the object of the meeting with some eulogistic remarks on the 
high character and attainments of the deceased, and after some further 
remarks by C. L. C. Gifford and J. P. Jackson, Jr., who testified to 
the higli promises for intellectual and professional excellence given by 
the deceased, the following Committee were appointed to prepare 
resolutions expressing the sentiments of tlie Bar on the melancholy 
event :— Messrs. Gifford, Jackson, Parker, Perry and Ranney. The 
meeting was then adjourned to meet to-morrow noon, at which time 
a full attendance of the Bar is requested. 
5 



34 

From the Newark Daily Advertiser of October 12tli, 1£G4. 

At the adjonrned meeting of tlie Bar of Essex County, licld at the 
Court House, rehitive to the death of Lieut. Myron W. Smith, tin; 
Committee reported tlie foUo-\ving resolutions, whicli, after some ai)pro- 
priatc remarks by J. E. Trippe, Jr., were unanimously adopted : 

Whekeas, The melanclioly intelligence has Ijeen received l)y us of the 
death of our late brother, Myron W. Smith, Esq., late Acting Assistant 
Adjutant General in the United States Army, from wounds received by 
him while engaged in the active discharge of his duties in the suppres- 
sion of the rebellion, during the present siege near Richmond, therefore, 

liesolved, That the Bar of Essex County, of which the deceased was a 
promising member, have heard with deep sorrow of this mournful 
calamity, which has deprived us of an associate Avliom we had confi- 
dently hoped to see an ornament of the Bar of this State, an upright 
and honorable counsellor, and a useful and high-toned citizen. By his 
death these hopes and expectations are blighted, yet therein we recog- 
nize a christian's spirit of self-sacrifice, a patriot's sul^mission to martyr- 
dom for his country, and the testimony of a reflecting and discerning 
mind to the great imjoortance of the triumph of civil liberty. 

liesolved, That while the death of a young man so well disciplined 
and instructed in sound learning and morality is an inestimable loss to 
the profession, and to the State, we cannot l)ut be assured from liis pure 
and comniendal)le life, and his noble and honorable death, he has gained 
the sure and lasting reward reserved for those whose principles and con- 
duct are in conformity with the teachings of religion. 

liesolved, That we will ever aflectionately cherish the memory of the 
departed soldier, scholar and Christian, and endeavor to learn from his 
example, a truer estimate of what is manly and useful and beautiful in 
life. 

Resolved, That we tender our sympathies to the afllicted father and 
friends of our departed brother, and that we will pay our final tribute of 
respect, by attending his remains to the grave. 



#Jjjtuarij iioticcg. 



From the New York Observer. 

HOW A SOLDIER DIED. 

lie was shot through the left hiiig by a guerilla sharpshooter, after the 
seeond victory at Chapin's Farm, September 30th. He had been the 
bravest of the brave during all the dreadful tight, but Inul escaped. The 
battle over, the victory won, and all danger apparently past, the fatal 
Ijullet crashed through his body — the messenger of death. He was aided 
tt) the transport, and borne to the Chesaj)eake Hospital at Fortress Mon- 
roe. Here his aged father reached him, a few hours before his death, on 
the morning of October 5th. He was sinking fast, but rallied, and knew 
the one who held his hand and asked him about his soul. " Is Christ 
precious to you ?" the father inquired. The reply was : '' I love the 
Saviour, and have given myself to him.'' Shortly afterward he was 
asked: ''Do you know and realize that your wound is mortal, and that 
^leath is near V Without perceptible emotion, and sweetly looking at 
the inquirer, he replied : " Is it i Does the doctor say so T' " Yes, and 
your father thinks so." " How long can I live ?" " At most but a few 
hours ; it may he less." He calmly remarked : " I thought the wound 
was mortal, but I did not expect to die so soon. I am so glad you have 
come. I should not have died happy without seeing you." 

Then were spoken the farewell words between father and son. " You 
have been a very precious son. You never gave me a pang by any mis- 
conduct. I had hoped you would close my eyes, and settle my worldly 
affairs." AVith a smile almost angelic he replied: ''I thank you. I 
have endeavored to do my duty to you. When I entered a fight, I pray- 
ed God to give me coui'age ; and He did it, and enabled me to do my 
Avhole duty. I had bright prospects in life ; but I gave myself to my 
country and to Christ my Redeemer, and have no regrets. I die in a 
glorious cause." 

These were the last words of Lieut. Mykon AY. Smith, A. A. A. G., 1st 
Brig., od Div., 18th Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was the youngest 



36 

sou of L. A. Smith, M. D., Newark, N. J., and grandson of the late Kev. 
Dr. Griffin. A graduate of Rutgers College, a young lawyer of line 
attainments and prospects, with a pleasant home and an enviable social 
position, he eagerly relinquished all for the vicissitudes of camp and 
ticld, and died nobly ))attling for God and his country. 

Thus is another name atlded to the long list of heroes and martyrs 
•whose lives have l^een a free-will offering on our country's altar. May 
their memory never be dishonored, nor their sacrifice rendered of none 
eftect, by concessions to traitors, or Ijy yielding again to the curse of 
slavery the soil made sacred l)y the l)lood of freemen I May the flag- 
that waved over them in life, and shrouded their forms in death, soon be 
honored and loved throughout our whole laud, as the emblem of peace, 
of righteousness, and of li1)erty ! k. w. 



From the Boston Kecorder. 
A SHINING MARK. 

Many such there have been, during this dread war which is upon us, 
at whom with unerring iDrecision the fatal bolt has been aimed. To one 
of these let us give a passing notice. Lieut. Myron W. Smith, aged 
36 years, A. A. A. General, of the first l^rigade, third division, eighteenth 
army corps, son of Dr. L. A. Smith, of Newark, N. J., and grandson of 
the late Rev. Edward D. Grirtin, D. D.. died at Chesapeake Hospital. 
Va., of a wound through the chest, by a rebel sharpshooter a few days 
previous, at Chapin's Farm, near Richmond. 

Few young men have left in connexion with the war a brighter record 
than has Adjutant Smith. In appropriate Resolutions his brother ofhccrs 
mourn his loss, as that of " a lirave soldier, an efficient officer, a sincere 
and valued friend, and a true, honest and noljle man.'' 

With a more than usually thorough education — both collegiate and 
professional — he had made a very successful beginning in the practice of 
law in his native city of Newark, N. J. To his friends, as Avell as to 
himself, there seemed a bright future l)efore him. At his country's call, 
however, in the hour of her peril, he turned aside from his chosen pro- 
fession, and girded himself for the conflict. To a friend endeavoring to 
dissuade him from his purpose, he expressed himself in words like these : 
'• To the best of my ability I must aid in maintaining the government 
which was in part founded by an honored ancestor of mine" — referring 
to Gov. Samuel Huntington, of Conn., a prominent man in Revolutionary 



87 

times, uud one of the signers of the Declaratiou of Independence, Avith 
■\vliom— through liis grand-mother, Griffin— he was connected.* Upon 
this, and other genealogical connexions, he valued himself^not with a 
vain but with an honest pride, which, as his friends know — incited him 
to nqjjle aims, and to an upright, manly course. 

He died the death of the patriot and the soldier, noldy battling for his 
country. But more ; his death, to which he had looked forward, and for 
Avhich prepared, as a probable e\cnt, was that of the Christian. To his 
sorrowing father, who was with him the last few hours of his life, he 
said, with great calmness, "My prospects were bright for this world, 
but I gave myself to my country and to Christ, and I have no regrets. 
I die in a glorious cause.'' And so in the bloom and beauty of early 
manhood, but with the serene hope and peace of one resting upon his 
Saviour, he passed away. 



From the New York Daily Tribimc 
This accomplished young officer, son of Ur. L. A. Smith, of Newark, 
N. J., was shot through the chest by a sharpshooter, after the repulse of 
the enemy at Chapin's Farm, near Richmond, on Friday, Sept. 30th, and 
died at Chesapeake Hospital on Wednesday, the 5th instant, in perfect 
peace, aged 26 years. He was graduated at Rutgers College with the 
higliest honors,— studied law in Newark, and admitted to the Bar of 
Essex County. Early in the war he offered his services to the Govern- 
ment, and sought an appointment in the Marine Corps. Pending this 
application, he went several times to the front in hospital ships tending 
upon the sick and Avounded, and afterwards made out the papers for 211 
widows and soldiers, applicants for pensions and bounties and back pay, 
at the office of the Public Aid Committee without fee. When the plan 
of raising colored troops was first projDOsed, he was oi)posed to it ; but, 
after retiection, he determined to help it forward — was examined by the 
Board, highly complimented, and commissioned 1st Lieutenant and Ad- 



* Gov. H. and Rev. Dr. H. married sisters, daugliters of Rev. E. Devotion. The Gov. 
never liad any cliildren, but early adopted as Jds oirii two of his brotlier Josepli's, who 
never knew any other home — Fanny, who married Dr. Griihn, and Samuel, afterwards 
Judge of the Supreme Court and Governor of Ohio. Vide "Norwich Jubilee;" "Hunt- 
ington Family Memoir;"' and "The Hyde Genealogy,"' by Chancellor Walworth. The 
Devotion's were Huguenots, and descended from the Anglo Saxon and Norman Kings of 
England. Lieut. Smith was the 30th generation direct, from William the Conqueror. 
—Hon. Ji. U. Walwoii/i. 



38 

jutant* of the 1st U. S. Colored Trooi^s in June, 1863. He served in 
various engagements in North Carolina and Virginia, the i)rincipal of 
which were Wilson's Landing ; the attacks on the forts near Petersburg, 
and the capture of the works at Chapin's Farm and the repulse of the 
enemy at the same place next day. He was buried on Wednesdi>y last 
from Ihe First Presbyterian Church in his native city. The Essex 
County Bar, Judge Haines presiding, passed a series of complimentary 
resolutions, and the whole community mourns his untimely loss. 



Fi-om tlio Newark Daily Advertiser of October 7th, 18G4. 

A telegraphic dispatch was received to-day announcing the death of 
Lieut. Myron W. Smith, Adjutant of the 1st United States Colored 
Troops, son of Dr. L. A. Smith, of this city, in Hospital, at Fortress 
Monroe, on Wednesday afternoon, from M;ounds in the lungs received in 
the recent advance of the Army of the James. Lieut. Smith was con- 
scious up to the last, and died with all the comforts of a Christian. Tlie 
body has been embalmed, and will l;e brought home by his afflicted 
father, who went on inmiediately upon receiving word of liis injuries. 

Adjutant Smith was about 25 years of age, a graduate of Rutgers 
College, and was admitted to the Bar of Essex County about three years 
since. He was formerly a Lieutenant in the 4th N. J. Regiment, and 
recently in the colored regiment servmg in North Carolina and Virginia. 
He was warmly esteemed by a large circle of friends, Avho Avill sincerely 
mourn his early demise. 



From the New York Herald. 

This promising young officer has died of the wounds received in the 
battle of Chapin's Farm, September 80t]i, 1864. At the time of his 
death he was Acting Assistant Adjutant General of the First Brigade, 
Third Division, Eighteenth Corps, and had won great distinction in 
numerous battles. 



*lle was oft'ered the choice behveeii that and Captaiucy iu the line, aud t-ubscqnently 
could have chaiiired had he desired it. 



^XtlflCtS 



FROM HIS P Tt I V A T E LETTERS 



It is but Justice to the deceased to state tliat wlien the matter of arm- 
ing the blacks was first proposed, he was opposed to it. But on mature 
reflection he changed his ojiinion and thought it not only projDer, but 
desirable, and immediately wrote to the Secretary of War offering his 
services, which were accepted, and he was among the earliest of the 
officers who exhibited sufticient moral courage to enter that unpopular 
branch of the service. 

That he was not mistaken in his opinion that the blacks would make 
good soldiers, andj that he never regretted having entered the service 
with them is alnuidantly provtd by the following extracts from his 
letters detailing the various actions in which they were engaged. 

His first letter in reference to them is dated Mason's Island, June 
20th, I860. =^ * '-Better troops cannot be found anywhere. You 
should see our men drill. Every visitor is amazed at the precision of 
their evolutions. * * July 19th. — Gen'l Casey reviewed our Regiment 
yesterday. He said it drilled better than any one he had ever seen, con- 
sidering the time they had been in the service. Aug. 4th. * =•' Order- 
ed to Plymouth, N. C, for what kind of duty I know not. I think the 
Regiment will fight well, for they appear to feel their position, and that 
the eyes of all North and South arc upon them, and they are deter- 
mined to show that they are Jit to be soldiers. I shall ti-y to do my 
duty in every position and hope to be successful, and return safely 
home, " when this cruel war is over," hut if anything liajopens to me it 
will he a consolation to liioic that I died in a (jood caitse."' 

" Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori .'"' * * * 

The boat in which the Regmaent sailed from Tort Monroe was unsea- 
worthy, and the officers protested against going in her, but were over- 
ruled. The Regiment sailed and were obliged to return in consequence 
of a storm. Again tliey sailed, and the boat sprang a leak oft" Hatteras, 



40 

and was put about a second time, and after a night of great peril, all 
hands being kept at the pumps, she reached the port from which she 
started. In reference to this he writes Aug. 7th, " We shall apply for 
transportation on the S. R. Spaulding, and in case they refuse that or 
some other good vessel, we shall refuse going at all ; for I am determined 
not to risk my life uselessly. "When I entered the service, I took the 
risk of being Mlled, and I hope I shall never shrink when duty calls ; 
but I am opijosed to being drowned through the stupidity or malicious- 
ness of a Quarter Master.'' A better boat was furnished and they reached 
Newl^ern in safety, and he writes from Morehead City, N. C, Sept. 3d. 
* * I am learning, by degrees, what " red-tape'' means, when used in 
connection with military affairs. After more than a month's cruise, in 
which we have gone all around North Carolina, sailing up and down 
Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, three or four times, forming camp twice 
and throwing up regular fortifications in a city of the enemy, we find 
ourselves at this time, on a transport, with orders to report at Fortress 
]\[ouroe to Gen'l Foster. ■■' * -'■• The orders relieving us from duty at 
Elizabeth City were entirely unexpected l)y either Gen'l Peck or Gen'l 
Wessel, and they at first thought as we did, that we were going to 
Charleston. ='= * We left Elizabeth City just in time to avoid a 

fight, for 2,000 men of the Confederate forces had left the Blackwater to 
" wipe out the niggers,"' and oii Sunday afternoon a scout brought in the 
intelligence that they were close at hand, and would 2>i"obably attack us 
that night. We instantly put all our stores on a transport, and drew up 
the Regiment in line of battle, in the entrenchments. The gunl^oat drew 
up behind us and her guns were all run out in expectation of attack. I 
slept in all my clothes, with sword and pistol on, and my horse saddled 
at the door. I assure you I felt much more at ease, than I could have ex- 
Y>eciiiiX or hoped . * '■' * Not a single man flinched, and when (the pickets 
having fired several voUies) the order was given for the men to load and 
wait the attack, they sprang up and really contended, as to what com- 
pany should have the privilege of defending the entrance to the Fort. 

By the goodness of God no attack was made. * '■■ * Had 3,000 
men, veterans from the Blackwater attacked us, 700 men, we should have 
had a pretty hard time of it." * * * Dec. 1st, from Portsmouth, he 
writes : " Our men brought in Major B., a guerrilla. lie is a noted man ; 
has broken his parole, and will probably swing for it. He is in close 
confinement, guarded l)y " nigger soldiers."' " Ubi terrarum sumus ! 
Tcmpora mutantur et in lis mutamur !"* Colored soldiers guarding a Yir- 

* Where on earth are we ? Times are chilngefl, and in them We itre changed. 



41 

ginian officer in a Virginia jail! and tliose soldiers officered hy a Jersey- 
man /" Dec. 37tli lie says ; * * u -yy-g g^jg ^q^ doing guard duty iu 
Portsmouth, and the Provost Marshal says that our soldiers are the 
nicest he has had yet. I will defy any one to find cleaner men than 
those I send each day as a guard for the headquarters in town." Jan. 
2d, after speaking of the obloquy heaped on the colored troops at first, 
he says : " Yesterday all the troops under Barnes' command were pa- 
raded. Gen'l Butler was x)reseut and eight other Generals. We icere the 
escort to tJie Generals. Butler complimented us very highly. Now I am 
not ashamed to own my Regiment." Jan. 21st, he says : " We have the 
entire charge of this city now ; I mount every morning 175 guards, who 
watch all the public proj^erty, secesh prisoners, &c., &c. The Provost 
Marshal, the Quarter-Master and Commissary all say that the guards are 
good." 

Early in the season the Regiment was ordered uj) the James river and 
was posted at Wilson's Landing. From this place he writes May 25th, 
1864. * * " I -^rite to inform you that we have had a fight with Fitz 
Hugh Lee and whipped him completely. He had 2,000 men picked 
from his division and came down from Richmond, as our prisoners tell 
us, to drive us into the ri-ver. We had about 1100 men. He charged on 
our i^ickets with cavalry, expecting to cut them off and then surprise the 
camp. But " he reckoned without the host." The pickets fought him 
for half an hour and emptied a number of saddles. In the meantime, 
we hearing the firing, formed line of battle in the trenches, and waited 
for the pickets to come in. As soon as they were in the works we ojjened 
on the rebs. They then sent in a flag of truce, demanding an immediate 
surrender, and promising that we should be treated in such case as pris- 
oners of war ; but if we attempted to hold the place he (Lee) would not 
be answerable for the consequences. He said it would be impossible for 
us to hold the place as he was determined to take it. Gen'l Wilde an- 
swered, " We will try if." While this parley was going on, the rebs were 
getting into position, and as soon as the flag was carried back, com- 
menced a very lively firing. We also opened with our two 10-pound 
Parrots, and with the assistance of the guns on the steamer "Dawn" 
drove the enemy back into the woods. The enemy then began flank 
movements on both sides of us, so as to rake our Ime of works. It 
therefore became necessary to have a gunboat in the river shift her posi- 
tion so as to rake the rebs. Gen. Wilde sent me off in a small boat with 
the message, and as the river bank was lined with sharp-shooters, I had 
a very Tiot sail. Balls whistled by my head, and struck the water all 
6 



42 

around, but Providentially no one hit mc. * * * * A feint was made 
on one flank and an attack on the other. They came with a yell, but our 
boys gave a louder yell, (which must have been heard to be appreciated,) 
and poured so much lead among them, that they broke and ran like 
sheep, leaving a number of dead and wounded on the field. They have 
gone to Bottom's Bridge, minus some 350 to 300 men. We lost in our 
Regiment 2 men killed, 1 officer and 14 men wounded, and 1 missing. 
* * * That Hack vien 2ciU figlit is an estaUished fact. * '^ * The 
men were sorry that Lee got tired of the attack so soon, as they wanted 
to kill a few more of them." 

Under date of June 10th, 18G4, he writes: * * "I have great 
cause for thankfulness that I escaped death or wounds in our fight. But 
for the particulars. On Wednesday, at dark, our Regiment left camp 
marched out about 3 miles, and bivouacked for the night. As we were in 
tlie face of the enemy, of course we could not sleej) much. At daylight 
yesterday we were joined by Kautz's cavalry, a part of the 10th army 
corps under Gen'l Gilmore, and 3 regiments of colored troojjs. Col. 
Ilolman commanded the colored troojDs, (a squadron of cavalry and 
battery of artillery,) and I was A. A. General. We were then ordered to 
attack the works in front of Petersburg, while Gilmore attacked them 
on the flank. Kautz went off" on the right of Petersburg for some pur- 
pose unknown, probably to tear up the railroads. Accordingly we 
started off our cavalry, skirmishing with the rebels, until we entered the 
woods near their fortifications. Here the cavalry w^ere stopjjed by a hot 
fire of sharp-shooters, and our Regiment was deployed through the 
woods as skirmishers. When we got through the woods we were in full 
view of the rebel works, 700 yards off'. They immediately opened on us 
with grape and canister, and as they had the exact range it was mighti/ 
hot. While I was giving Col. Ames of the Gth U. S. C. T. an order, a 
charge of grape threw the dirt all over us, and at the same time a shell 
burst, blowing his horse all to pieces. * * * The works were entirely 
too strong for us to take by assault, so we were ordered by Gen'l Gilmore 
to fall back out of range, and Avait for hira to take them by a flank attack. 
He tried it but could not drive the enemy out of their 7'ijle 2}iis, much 
less their icorlcs. So we all hauled oft" and came home. I think, how- 
ever, the whole movement was made to divert the enemy while Kautz 
did his work with the railroad." **>;;* 

This proved to be the fact, and a few days after, another attack was 
made, which was entirely successful. Of this he writes as follows, under 
date of the 17th of June. * * " We left camp at midnight of the 14th, 



43 

Col. Holuian commanding, and I acting as Assistant Adjutant General. 
At daylight we joined the 18th army corps under Genl Smith, and 
marched toward Petersburg. Our division went up the Jordan Point 
road, while the rest went to the right. We soon struck the rebels, who 
had strong rifle pits on a little hill, with a battery in position. They 
opened on us with much execution, killiug and wounding many. The 
division was formed in two lines of battle and charged riglit over their 
works, caijturing one gun. Success tlie first! Our Brigade was in the 
second line and did not sufler as much as the 2d Brigade under Col. 
Duncan. We immediately advanced and occupied the same position as 
on our former visit to Petersburg a few days before. We were then in 
the first line. This was about 9 A. M., and we were under fire till about 
5 P. M., when we charged the works, and captured all that were in our 
front. Success the second/ The fire all day was awful. The enemy had 
a perfect range, and threw their shell, grape and canister right in our 
skirmish line and in the ranks. Almost every shot killed or wounded 
some one, yet there was not the least disposition shown hy any of the men to 
get away. Their only anxiety was for an order to charge. * * * To 
show how accurate their range was, I will give an example. Two batte- 
ries were brought into the field in the rear of our line. When they got 
in position, I was near one of them, Capt. Choate's, talking with him, 
when a shell burst over our heads, cutting off the top of a tree which 
fell on us and levelled us to the ground. I was not hurt much, being 
only a little stunned. A second shell soon convinced us that that was 
not a safe place to stand. AVe lost 10 officers and 146 men. * * t= 
I went through the Hospital here (City Point) as soon as I arrived 
from the front. The sight of them destroys all the romance of war, I 
saAV every one of our Avounded men, and they seemed pleased that I 
called on them. Two of our officers are, I fear, mortally wounded." * * 
"June 18th. I have just come in from the front. * * I did not know 
it was Sunday till I calculated by the date ; for I have been driven about 
all day, and at 4 o'clock was sent in to order the camp broken up, hav- 
ing been ordered to the Point of Rocks. * * Last niglit I went all 
along the lines at Petersliurg ; skirmishing was going on very briskly, 

and numbers were lacing brought to the rear wounded. * * Gen'l 

told me yesterday we had probably lost 10,000 men before Petersburg ! 
* * * Every house here is filled, and long trains of ambulances stand 
around, as there is no place for the wounded to be put. Two thousand 
have been sent down the river to-day. * * Colored troops are abote 
par. Gen'l Smith has issued an address to his corps praising the colored 



44 

fellows:'' * * * June 23d. * * " We lay all day yesterday at the 
e'xtreme front, and at dark were sent down the river Appomattox 
to shell some rebel batteries on the other side, and also to throw occa- 
sional shells into Petersburg. These, as I ^\Tite, are " ploughing" through 
the air, and we can see them burst in the rebel works, and throw up lots 
of dust." June 25th. * * "An assault was ordered at 7 o'clock last 
night, and one Regiment from our Brigade was to take a part in it as 
reserve. Our Regiment was chosen, and so I went out to see it. How- 
ever, just as the assault was to be made, Gen'l Smith went on the field 
and having surveyed the position, countermanded the order." * * 
July 1st. * * " The rebs have a good many guns on their side of the 
river, and we have lively artillery duels. In the rear of our quarters is 
a 30-lb. battery, on our right a 10-lb. battery, and our left a 20-lb. bat- 
tery. They, of course, draw the enemy's fire, and as our house is in easy 
range and in direct line of fire, we have plenty of shells " flying around 
loose." * * * * By the way, the account of our fight of the 15th 
in '^the Tril^une, is utterly untrue. All the credit is given to Col. Dun- 
can's Brigade, while in truth and in fact the works in o«?* front were all 
taken by owr skirmish line, consisting of the 1st U. S. colored troops ; 
our Brigade was in front, while Duncan's was held in reserve." * * * 
" In the field, July olst. * * I have just come in from Gen'l Burnside's 
line, where we had a great fight yesterday. We (Division Staff) left 
headquarters at dark on the 29th inst. and were all night long riding 
around making preparations for an assault to be made at daylight. A 
mine was to be sprung under a rebel Ijattery and an assault made by the 
9th corps and a part of ours (under our Division commander.) * * * 
By some accident to the fuse, the mine did not explode till after 5 o'clock. 
It was the most grand sight I ever witnessed. The whole earth shook 
as if with earthquake, and the rebel batteiy was thrown fifty feet in the 
air — men, guns, logs, &c., &c. Many were buried in the mass. * * * 
Instantly our whole artillery opened, and the assault was made by Fer- 
rero's colored troops, and 3 Brigades of white troops. They charged 
splendidly and went right over the first line of rebel works, but lost very 
heavily, as the rebs had an enfilading fire on them, which mowed them 
down. The ground was covered with dead and wounded men. These 
troops went right on toward the second rebel line, but had become so 
much weakened, that they were repulsed and fell back to the first line 
again. Some white troops (N. Y. vols.) which were filing through our 
pits on their way to the front, saw them running and raised the cry " the 
rebels are coming, we are all cut up, ' and made for the rear. We had a 



45 

regular jyanic, and I never want to see another. The biggest cowards,' as 
they ran, were cursing the Mack troops for being repulsed, and when we 
showed them that the blacks and whites that had made the assault, still 
held the first line they had taken, they refused to stop, and were only 
kept on the field by the l:)ayonets of other soldiers. Thus we lost the 
fruit of all the labor and blood spent. Gcn'l B. said we should take 
supper in Petersburg, - and we should, had the assaulting party Ijeen 
decently reinforced. You will see by the papers Avho sufi:ered, and l)y 
that judge who did the work. * * * Our Division only lost about 
100 men, as we were holding our old works (which the assaulting column 
had left) in case of accidents. * * * The trouble was, that the re- 
serves, instead of being massed, where they could follow on after the 
" forlorn hope," were half a mile in the rear, and had to file through pits 
and a narrow dug way to reach the front." * * * * 

The Adjutant had been acting for a considerable time as Aid-de-camp 
and Judge Advocate on the staff of Gen'l Carr. But when Gen'l Paine 
took command of the Division, Col. Holman was placed in command of 
the 1st Brigade and required his services as Assistant Adjutant General, 
in which position he remained till the last. His Brigade was ordered ou 
the 1st of September down the river to Harrison's Landing to throw up 
entrenchments. 

Sept. Bd he writes : * * " If we stay here I fear we shall not have 
much chance to gain glory, but we shall be doing something, I hope, to 
put an end to this war." * * Sept. 24th he wrote his last letter, as 
four days afterwards he was ordered to advance on Richmond, and had 
an opportunity to gain glory at the cost of his life. * * " This is my 
Urth-day and therefore I must write you, although it is quite late and I 
am tired, having just returned from "Flower de Hundred," where I 
went with a party by order of Gen'l Grant, to " clean out" some secesh 
people. * * * The Lieut. General is determined to make the rebs go 
to their friends down South. * * * The old men about here (there 
are no young ones) have acted as recruiting agents for the rebel army, 
compelling every one to enlist. Oh ! if the old -people at the North would 
worli half so hard as they do, South, we would have men enough to eat 
the whole of Lee's army. * * * This morning we had another 100 
(shotted) gun salute over Sheridan's new victory. These salutes are 
becoming quite common, but we hope to have a " few more." * * * 
It looks now as if the war will be soon over. * * * This morning 
Col. Holman (commanding) forwarded to the War Department a recom- 



46 

mendation for my promotion. * * * With mucli love to all, aud 
hoping that e'er my next birthday comes, the war may be closed, and I 
at home, I remain as ever your most affectionate son." 

For an account of the last fights of the 29th and 30th of September, 
the reader is referred to Col, Holman's letter. 

The character of the deceased as a Christian, a Soldier, a Lawyer and 
a Man, is delineated in the foregoing pages of this Tribute, but full jus- 
tice would not be done to his memory Avithout alluding to his home life, 
where he shone conspicuously. 

We shall be pardoned for making a few extracts from private letters 
received liy his family since his decease to show how he was appre- 
ciated : 

" Oct. 32d, 18G4. * -''■ You may well imagine I was shocked at the 
unexpected news of Myron's death ! I have often thought of him in 
readiiag about the battles in Virginia. I always looked anxiously 
through the list of killed and wounded in the 18th Army Corps, and 
have experienced a feeling of relief at not seeing his name among them. 
But alas ! he was not always to escape so fortunately, and this cruel war 
has brought sorrow into another family. * * * ^: 

" His whole course through life, marked as it always was, by such high 
principles, and such freedom from any of the vices so common among 
young men, has commanded my respect and esteem. I do not believe 
he ever in his life committed an action which might cause either himself 
or his friends shame. He was indeed an uncommon young man, and wc 
cannot Ijut feel his was too valuable a life to be thus lost. * * It was 
fitting that the end of such a life as his should be ' perfect peace.' " 

Another writes, Oct. 39th, 1864. * * " The habits of the service 
make us all,] in a measure, indifferent^to the loss of companions and 
friends, but this cruel event breaks tlirough all callousness. Often when 
on the field of battle, or the dangerous bivouack, and at all times I have 
looked back at the endearing memory of my intercourse with your 
brother, and to the pleasant hoi^es that the future would bring us to- 
gether again in the mutual enjoyment of peaceful life. But no ! He has 
gone, and I shall never again greet in friendship on earth the friend of 
my early and happy days. You know he was the only friend I had. No 
other man can ever go so deeply into my heart. To think, that I shall 
never again meet that genial face and pleasant smile, that the walks and 
talks and all our mutual pleasures are gone forever." * * 



47 

Nov. 1st, 1864, anotlier writes: * * * " I know so well what 
Myron was to you all, and there was so much in him that was pure 
and noble, as a little fellow when I knew him, that his memory is 
peculiarly sweet and interesting to me." 

Few young men who have enjoyed the advantages of a public educa- 
tion have spent so few hours from home as did the subject of this sketch. 
His preparatory studies and his College life were passed under the parental 
roof; and, until he entered the anny, but a very short season at any one time 
had ever been spent from home. He was only 13 years old when his 
mother died. But she had lived long enough to impress upon his char- 
acter her love of order, systematic action, conscientiousness, propriety, 
and dignity of manner, and these shaped all his future life. He early 
adopted rules of action, wrote them out and pasted them on the door 
of his book case, and it is believed followed them so long as he remained 
at home. 

He had a fine musical taste and cultivated it in a high degree. How 
skilfully he performed on the organ, will be remembered by one of our 
city congregations where for a considerable time he volunteered his ser- 
vices, during the early period of its formation. His own family cart 
never forget the chants and sacred songs he was accustomed to play and 
sing with so rich a voice, during the twilight hours of almost every day, 
and especially on the Sabbath. His reading was varied, Init very select, 
and confined chiefly to History and Belles Lettres. He was accustomed 
to take notes, and make extended comments on the works of the various 
authors. He kept up the reading of the Greek and Latin Classics till he 
entered the army. His Greek Testament still remains in his pew in the 
church, and the last Sabbath he attended there in February, he followed 
the Pastor as he read a portion of Scripture selected from the Epistles. 

In view of such a life well might his father say to him, as he did in 
his dying hour, " You have been a very precious son to me, you have 
never caused me a pang by any mis-conduct ;" and well might he say in 
reply with a heavenly smile, " I thank you ; I have endeavored to do 
my duty to you." Precious youth ! you have done your whole duty to 
your family, to youi' country, and as near as possible to your Got1, 
and have gone to your reward. 



